"Central Labour College banner" [NMLH.1993.611]

Catalogue Number
NMLH.1993.611

Object Name
Banner

Title
'Central Labour College. Educate. Agitate. Organise.'

People
Central Labour College

Description
Shield shaped banner. The design features branches, leaves and berries with a torch of knowledge in the centre, an arranged bundle of sticks tied with a bow at the bottom and a soft conical cap with the top bent over, representing a cap of liberty, to the top of the banner. The text ‘EDUCATE AGITATE ORGANISE’ are on a scroll below the cap of liberty to the top of the banner, with ‘CENTRAL LABOUR COLLEGE’ across the middle of the banner.

In 1908, a group of Ruskin College, Oxford, students became dissatisfied with its education policy and formed the Plebs League. The students were supported by their Principal, Dennis Hird, who was dismissed for his actions, prompting the students to go on strike. Hird and the group of students subsequently split with Ruskin College and formed the Central Labour College in 1909 to provide an independent working class education.

The National Union of Railwaymen and the South Wales Miners’ Federation financially supported the College. It taught Marxism and a large percentage of its students were working people. The banner was designed in 1912 by Winifred Horrabin, a well known socialist journalist. It was embroidered with the help of Winifred Blatchford and Rebecca West, the celebrated writer and feminist. The banner is made in an Art Nouveau style. The design features the cap of liberty and the torch of learning. This is composed of the bound sticks, signifying strength in unity.

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